Sicherheitspolitik#

Security Policy: in the early days of the Second Republic the most important aim of Austrian security policy was to regain sovereignty. After the adoption of the State Treaty, Austrian in 1955, which contains provisions concerning Austrian security policy (e.g. the prohibition of offensive weapons and the interdiction to join alliances), Austria´s security policy was largely determined by the east-west conflict and by Austrian Neutrality. Austrian security policy since 1955 can be broken down into five stages:

1st stage (1955-1970): predominance of defence policy, comparatively high military expenditures; the Austrian Federal Armed Forcestook action three times: Hungarian Crisis of 1956, South Tyrol Crisis of 1967, Czechoslovakia Crisis of 1968.

2nd stage (1970-1984): reduction of compulsory military service and development of an area defence plan ("Raumverteidigung"). Participation in joint European security policy through the CSCE.

3rd stage (1984-1989): publication of the national defence plan in 1985, acquisition of interceptors ("Draken") and anti-tank rockets ("Bill").

4th stage (1989-1994): the end of the east-west conflict resulted in a new interpretation of Austrian neutrality and an approach towards the Western security system. Tensions and conflicts in countries to the southeast of Austria provoked limited military action on the part of the Austrian armed forces near the eastern borders (defence of the Austro-Slovenian border during the crisis in Slovenia in 1991, has provided for military assistance at Austria´s eastern border since 1990).

5th stage, since 1995: Since Austria's accession to the EU, the common foreign and security policy (CFSP) of the EU has also been relevant for Austria. On accession, Austria was also granted observer status to the West-European Union (WEU), which is closely linked with European Union security policy. Austria has also participated in the NATO Partnership for Peace since 1995 and in the Schengen Agreement, in which Austria has a particular role to play due to its long border with non-EU countries. Foreign Policy.

Literature#